With Easter just around the corner, our minds naturally turn to les petits lapins*. But should they?

If you’re a student of French, or just have an interest in la culture française*, you may be interested to know that in France instead of an Easter Bunny they have Easter Bells.

The word for 'bell' in French is cloche (think of a cloche hat) so the French version of the benevolent bunny is les cloches de Pâques*. According to tradition, churches all over France fall silent before Vendredi Saint (Good Friday) as their bells fly to Rome to visit the Pope. After receiving their Papal blessing, they fly back home late Saturday evening, dropping chocolates into backyards on their way.

The next morning (Easter Sunday or le Dimanche de Pâques) children are woken by the pealing of church bells, who, now safely back in their belfries, announce the time to rush into the garden to search for les chocolats*.

For those of you who celebrate it, Joyeuses Pâques* and enjoy your treats.

*bunnies | *French culture | *Easter bells | *chocolates | *Happy Easter